Smoking weed while pregnant???? Am i the only one that thinks this is crazy

Killing time, I was browsing through the young moms board. I came upon a a thread that many ladies admitted to smoking weed "whenever they wanted" and continued to say "its not bad for the baby" I'm trying really hard to not be judgmental but OH MY LORD YOUR DOING DRUGS! Maybe I'm the only one that feels like its totally irresponsible and selfish. But I have had a rough pregnancy and know many others, even on this board that are fighting for their babies lives! This is a life that we are responsible for, they have no control over what we do to them. I feel like if your doing drugs then your not thinking about your lo. There are enough things that can go wrong

Ok I'm stepping of of my soap box now and hope I don't offend to many people. Just wondering what others thoughts are/

Killing time, I was browsing through the young moms board. I came upon a a thread that many ladies admitted to smoking weed "whenever they wanted" and continued to say "its not bad for the baby" I'm trying really hard to not be judgmental but OH MY LORD YOUR DOING DRUGS! Maybe I'm the only one that feels like its totally irresponsible and selfish. But I have had a rough pregnancy and know many others, even on this board that are fighting for their babies lives! This is a life that we are responsible for, they have no control over what we do to them. I feel like if your doing drugs then your not thinking about your lo. There are enough things that can go wrong

Ok I'm stepping of of my soap box now and hope I don't offend to many people. Just wondering what others thoughts are/

I don't know that smoking weed does any more harm than smoking unfiltered cigarettes. It could certainly be worse. That said, you couldn't pay me $5,000 to smoke a cigarette. IMO, it's profoundly selfish, irresponsible, and, yes, disturbing when you consider what some women are dealing with just to keep their babies alive... I would also imagine that anyone who doesn't stop smoking weed while pregnant is probably going to be smoking once the baby arrives - THAT is what disturbs me the most.

I don't know that smoking weed does any more harm than smoking unfiltered cigarettes. It could certainly be worse. That said, you couldn't pay me $5,000 to smoke a cigarette. IMO, it's profoundly selfish, irresponsible, and, yes, disturbing when you consider what some women are dealing with just to keep their babies alive... I would also imagine that anyone who doesn't stop smoking weed while pregnant is probably going to be smoking once the baby arrives - THAT is what disturbs me the most.

To be fair I'll speak on the opposing side. Weed is a natural plant and is a much different "drug" then chemically altered or manufactured drugs. There are no studies that prove that weed affects the development of the embryo/fetus in the womb. Now smoking weed, depending on the wrapper, could cause harm as many use cigar/tobacco wrappers. However any other consumption besides smoking weed has no scientific proof of harm. I read in the scientific journal (I am studying to be a nurse) that the likelihood of weed harming your fetus is equal to the tylenol we take while pregnant which is slim to none. :) so for both sides. I also am from the bay area and many doctors here also say weed is fine while pregnant as long as it is not smoked with cigar wrappers. Cigarettes are definitely by study harmful where weed ha no findings

To be fair I'll speak on the opposing side. Weed is a natural plant and is a much different "drug" then chemically altered or manufactured drugs. There are no studies that prove that weed affects the development of the embryo/fetus in the womb. Now smoking weed, depending on the wrapper, could cause harm as many use cigar/tobacco wrappers. However any other consumption besides smoking weed has no scientific proof of harm. I read in the scientific journal (I am studying to be a nurse) that the likelihood of weed harming your fetus is equal to the tylenol we take while pregnant which is slim to none. :) so for both sides. I also am from the bay area and many doctors here also say weed is fine while pregnant as long as it is not smoked with cigar wrappers. Cigarettes are definitely by study harmful where weed ha no findings

You know, I have nothing against marijuanna. I do not smoke it, but I have nothing against it. I have nothing against cigarettes or alcohol either. What I am against is using these substances while pregnant. No matter how you want to put it, if you're smoking weed you are inhaling smoke. Did you know that most people who die in fires do not die from the actual fire but rather from smoke inhalation? I'm all for slow suicide when you aren't pregnant, but when you ARE, you need to worry about your baby's health over your recreational habits.

You know, I have nothing against marijuanna. I do not smoke it, but I have nothing against it. I have nothing against cigarettes or alcohol either. What I am against is using these substances while pregnant. No matter how you want to put it, if you're smoking weed you are inhaling smoke. Did you know that most people who die in fires do not die from the actual fire but rather from smoke inhalation? I'm all for slow suicide when you aren't pregnant, but when you ARE, you need to worry about your baby's health over your recreational habits.

Smoking anything while pregnant is bad for the baby, because it can deprive them of oxygen. However, many studies have shown that ingesting marijuana while pregnant is not harmful -- there's no research to suggest that marijuana itself even passes through the placenta.

Personally, I have stopped using marijuana, even though I have a legitimate medical prescription for it. I did so under the advice of my doctor, but it isn't as straightforward as it sounds. He advised me not to use marijuana during pregnancy because of the issues that a positive drug test would cause me, not because it would be hurtful to the baby. Instead he wanted to prescribe me some brain-altering medications in the category C variety.

Now, I don't know about you, but I'd rather eat an unadulterated plant (one that I can even legally grow myself) that I know works for me, than experiment with drugs that actual research shows could hurt my baby... but I won't risk social services getting involved and attempting to take my child away after he is born, as medically irrational as it may seem to me for them to do so.

Having said all that, I expect that at least some (if not most) of the people on the Young Moms board are using marijuana recreationally, which is a whole separate issue that I'd kinda just prefer not to get into.

Smoking anything while pregnant is bad for the baby, because it can deprive them of oxygen. However, many studies have shown that ingesting marijuana while pregnant is not harmful -- there's no research to suggest that marijuana itself even passes through the placenta.

Personally, I have stopped using marijuana, even though I have a legitimate medical prescription for it. I did so under the advice of my doctor, but it isn't as straightforward as it sounds. He advised me not to use marijuana during pregnancy because of the issues that a positive drug test would cause me, not because it would be hurtful to the baby. Instead he wanted to prescribe me some brain-altering medications in the category C variety.

Now, I don't know about you, but I'd rather eat an unadulterated plant (one that I can even legally grow myself) that I know works for me, than experiment with drugs that actual research shows could hurt my baby... but I won't risk social services getting involved and attempting to take my child away after he is born, as medically irrational as it may seem to me for them to do so.

Having said all that, I expect that at least some (if not most) of the people on the Young Moms board are using marijuana recreationally, which is a whole separate issue that I'd kinda just prefer not to get into.

The only danger that has been associated with pot smoking in pregnancy is the same as smoking cigarettes (low birth weight, premature labor). And since marijuana isnt smoked in the volume that ciggs are, its probably not harmful or likely to cause these conditions in and of itself if just done occasionally ( or even once a week or so).

Also, if your having extreme morning sickness and loss of appetitte, the benefits of smoking marijuana to ease the nausea/inrease appetite would outweight any possible risks.

I think eating fast food is probably worse on yoru body and the fetus than occasional marijuana smoke.

All that being said - would i smoke regularly while pregnant (ciggs or marijuana)? No. But I think its important to know the facts and medical literature before jumping to judgment abut how awful or "abusive" it is.

A cigg here or there, a couple hits of pot here or there, a couple glasses of wine here or there -- none of this stuff is gonna harm your baby IMO.

The only danger that has been associated with pot smoking in pregnancy is the same as smoking cigarettes (low birth weight, premature labor). And since marijuana isnt smoked in the volume that ciggs are, its probably not harmful or likely to cause these conditions in and of itself if just done occasionally ( or even once a week or so).

Also, if your having extreme morning sickness and loss of appetitte, the benefits of smoking marijuana to ease the nausea/inrease appetite would outweight any possible risks.

I think eating fast food is probably worse on yoru body and the fetus than occasional marijuana smoke.

All that being said - would i smoke regularly while pregnant (ciggs or marijuana)? No. But I think its important to know the facts and medical literature before jumping to judgment abut how awful or "abusive" it is.

A cigg here or there, a couple hits of pot here or there, a couple glasses of wine here or there -- none of this stuff is gonna harm your baby IMO.

To everyone who keeps saying "no research to suggest" it's harmful...well why wait and find out on your child?? You know it can't be GOOD FOR THE BABY! In a couple of years when they do come out and say it is horrible and awful, how are you going to feel then? Or will it be too late? You know at one point the doctors in this country encouraged smoking and drinking during pregnancy and i'm sure at the time there was "no research to suggest". So I would just think twice before you smoke your hit off you bong and remember this is the only time you have to deny yourself for the health of your unborn child.

Imagine the guilt you would have if God forbid, something is wrong with your child because of your choices.

To everyone who keeps saying "no research to suggest" it's harmful...well why wait and find out on your child?? You know it can't be GOOD FOR THE BABY! In a couple of years when they do come out and say it is horrible and awful, how are you going to feel then? Or will it be too late? You know at one point the doctors in this country encouraged smoking and drinking during pregnancy and i'm sure at the time there was "no research to suggest". So I would just think twice before you smoke your hit off you bong and remember this is the only time you have to deny yourself for the health of your unborn child.

Imagine the guilt you would have if God forbid, something is wrong with your child because of your choices.

I can't even get involved in this discussion because just the thought of it makes me sick to my stomach and angered beyond belief! I'm usually a very open-minded person, but when it comes to drugs and/or alcohol being mixed with children and/or parenting.. I just can't! I can not wrap my mind around how people can even justify it in their own mind. The defenses that I've heard and/or seen about smoking weed in general are just rediculous IMO, never mind when you're carrying an innocent life or caring for your children. It's beyond irresponsible and just plain selfish!

I can't even get involved in this discussion because just the thought of it makes me sick to my stomach and angered beyond belief! I'm usually a very open-minded person, but when it comes to drugs and/or alcohol being mixed with children and/or parenting.. I just can't! I can not wrap my mind around how people can even justify it in their own mind. The defenses that I've heard and/or seen about smoking weed in general are just rediculous IMO, never mind when you're carrying an innocent life or caring for your children. It's beyond irresponsible and just plain selfish!

Lots of things are harmful to our babies, many of which we can control. I don't smoke pot when I'm not pregnant so the thought has never occurred to me. However, if you take a plain marijuana plant (not the crazy stuff laced with other drugs, I know it exists) and use it legally for medicinal reasons then it's your prerogative. For the PP, I'd rather you smoke the pot than take the class C drugs, just have proof of its legality in case questions arise.

A bit OT, but talking about restrictions...

Did you know that they just came out with a new study that suggests pregnant women eating peanuts in the third trimester boost their child's chance of developing a nut allergy? Top that with all of the other food and drink restrictions and soon we'll all be on the BRAT diet. I say to hell with them! If I want some peanuts in my thai food, I'm going to eat them! People have been having babies for thousands of years without these restrictions but the media these days is ruthless about "healthy this and that." It's like using antibacterial soap and hand cleansers every time your kid touches something. Kids are supposed to get germs to build an immune system!

I knew this was going to become a hot topic...

Lots of things are harmful to our babies, many of which we can control. I don't smoke pot when I'm not pregnant so the thought has never occurred to me. However, if you take a plain marijuana plant (not the crazy stuff laced with other drugs, I know it exists) and use it legally for medicinal reasons then it's your prerogative. For the PP, I'd rather you smoke the pot than take the class C drugs, just have proof of its legality in case questions arise.

A bit OT, but talking about restrictions...

Did you know that they just came out with a new study that suggests pregnant women eating peanuts in the third trimester boost their child's chance of developing a nut allergy? Top that with all of the other food and drink restrictions and soon we'll all be on the BRAT diet. I say to hell with them! If I want some peanuts in my thai food, I'm going to eat them! People have been having babies for thousands of years without these restrictions but the media these days is ruthless about "healthy this and that." It's like using antibacterial soap and hand cleansers every time your kid touches something. Kids are supposed to get germs to build an immune system!

People have been smoking marijuana for decades -- if there was an adverse effect to be had, it would have been discovered by now. Just like it has been discovered that cigarettes cause low birth weight, and alcohol causes Fetal Alc Syndrome. But after all these years, there's been no definitive link shown with Marijuana. And if you eat it as opposed to smoke it, its probably harmless.

I think alot of what this boils down to is control issues. Ladies who adhere to the "my body is a temple" mentality tend to be more control freaks -- they are trying to control the outcome of their pregnancy by abstaining from soda, hair dye, caffeine, artifical sweeteners, etc. And thats fine for them. But just b/c they choose to deprive themselves of these things (or even go so far as to refuse Tylenol or prescription meds recommended by the doctors for instance), they think everyone else should be doing the same.

At the end of the day, its illegal so you do have that argument on your side. But I really dont think anyone has any argument or basis to judge mothers who smoke it during pregnancy since for years nows its never been shown to cause any problems.

People have been smoking marijuana for decades -- if there was an adverse effect to be had, it would have been discovered by now. Just like it has been discovered that cigarettes cause low birth weight, and alcohol causes Fetal Alc Syndrome. But after all these years, there's been no definitive link shown with Marijuana. And if you eat it as opposed to smoke it, its probably harmless.

I think alot of what this boils down to is control issues. Ladies who adhere to the "my body is a temple" mentality tend to be more control freaks -- they are trying to control the outcome of their pregnancy by abstaining from soda, hair dye, caffeine, artifical sweeteners, etc. And thats fine for them. But just b/c they choose to deprive themselves of these things (or even go so far as to refuse Tylenol or prescription meds recommended by the doctors for instance), they think everyone else should be doing the same.

At the end of the day, its illegal so you do have that argument on your side. But I really dont think anyone has any argument or basis to judge mothers who smoke it during pregnancy since for years nows its never been shown to cause any problems.

OK I read all the posts about how weed most likely won't hurt the baby's development so I won't even go into that topic. My problem with a mother smoking weed (recreationally not medically) is that most people who do it recreationally don't get it legally. Who's to say they won't get a bad batch laced with something that really would harm their child? That to me is irresponsible because to say you have a trustworthy drug dealer to get you the weed is just an oxymoron in itself. Plus the fact that most potheads I've known don't always act very responsible while under the influence of it. That's where I think of it being irresponsible. You can harm your baby without it being the marijuana directly causing it. Again this is mainly for the irresponsible recreational smokers. The possible outcome of actions and slow response to falling or while driving or not thinking about what your actions could cause at the time are what bother me the most. MOST (not all obviously) woman who use it for medical reasons such as the previous poster are also going to be using it in a more responsible way and not just to get high. At that point you may as well get a buzz off your wine act a fool too if you're doing it to just get high and think it's ok to put your baby into that situation.

OK I read all the posts about how weed most likely won't hurt the baby's development so I won't even go into that topic. My problem with a mother smoking weed (recreationally not medically) is that most people who do it recreationally don't get it legally. Who's to say they won't get a bad batch laced with something that really would harm their child? That to me is irresponsible because to say you have a trustworthy drug dealer to get you the weed is just an oxymoron in itself. Plus the fact that most potheads I've known don't always act very responsible while under the influence of it. That's where I think of it being irresponsible. You can harm your baby without it being the marijuana directly causing it. Again this is mainly for the irresponsible recreational smokers. The possible outcome of actions and slow response to falling or while driving or not thinking about what your actions could cause at the time are what bother me the most. MOST (not all obviously) woman who use it for medical reasons such as the previous poster are also going to be using it in a more responsible way and not just to get high. At that point you may as well get a buzz off your wine act a fool too if you're doing it to just get high and think it's ok to put your baby into that situation.

Oh nothing against the wine btw. Just meaning the ladies who have a glass here and there wouldn't be getting drunk and irresponsible but if you were to get high for the fun of it while pregnant you may as well get drunk too (had to throw that in before I got attacked on the wine thing lol)

Oh nothing against the wine btw. Just meaning the ladies who have a glass here and there wouldn't be getting drunk and irresponsible but if you were to get high for the fun of it while pregnant you may as well get drunk too (had to throw that in before I got attacked on the wine thing lol)

Well I agree if marijuana makes it difficult for you to drive, then you shouldnt drive -- pregnant or not. Personally it makes me very lightheaded and dizzy, so I wouldnt smoke it while pregnant for for fear of fainting (not that i smoke anymore anyway, but i used to when younger). I think its generally safe to assume if a woman is smoking it while pregnant, she's most likely smoked it before getting pregnant and should be familiar with how it effects her. It makes most people very calm, relaxes, can help with insomnia, nausea, etc -- all things that sound like they'd be helpful in pregnancy.

Also keep in mind, many people smoke marijuana recreationally and live perfectly normal, productive lives. My father smokes and is CEO of a company, and a great dad. (He hid it from us as children of course). It effects different people different way. Yes some pot heads are lazy and irresponsible, but certainly not all of them by any means.

Finally, about the argument of it being laced or mixed with other chemicals -- marijuana is different then most drugs in that it grows as a plant. Its very uncommon for it to be "laced" or "cut" with other substanes. Its not a manmade powder or rock or pill that can be easily mixed with other substances. Yes, some strains are stronger than others, and anyone smoking it should know how to tell quality and know their limit and tolerance and how it effects them. But I dont think there's much if any risk of getting marijuana "laced" with something dangerous.

I'm not saying I personally would smoke it while pregnant or even not, but I'm just trying to point out that its really not as bad or warranting of the "outrage" and "disgust" some of have mentioned.

Well I agree if marijuana makes it difficult for you to drive, then you shouldnt drive -- pregnant or not. Personally it makes me very lightheaded and dizzy, so I wouldnt smoke it while pregnant for for fear of fainting (not that i smoke anymore anyway, but i used to when younger). I think its generally safe to assume if a woman is smoking it while pregnant, she's most likely smoked it before getting pregnant and should be familiar with how it effects her. It makes most people very calm, relaxes, can help with insomnia, nausea, etc -- all things that sound like they'd be helpful in pregnancy.

Also keep in mind, many people smoke marijuana recreationally and live perfectly normal, productive lives. My father smokes and is CEO of a company, and a great dad. (He hid it from us as children of course). It effects different people different way. Yes some pot heads are lazy and irresponsible, but certainly not all of them by any means.

Finally, about the argument of it being laced or mixed with other chemicals -- marijuana is different then most drugs in that it grows as a plant. Its very uncommon for it to be "laced" or "cut" with other substanes. Its not a manmade powder or rock or pill that can be easily mixed with other substances. Yes, some strains are stronger than others, and anyone smoking it should know how to tell quality and know their limit and tolerance and how it effects them. But I dont think there's much if any risk of getting marijuana "laced" with something dangerous.

I'm not saying I personally would smoke it while pregnant or even not, but I'm just trying to point out that its really not as bad or warranting of the "outrage" and "disgust" some of have mentioned.

I took care of a baby that tested positive at birth for weed. Her birth mother claimed she only took a few puffs. The baby was born weighing three pounds. She had significant developmental delays. She did not roll over or walk or reach milestones on target. She was extremely colicky. It takes an idiot to do drugs while pregnant and affect an innocent life and then make exscuses for their selfish behavior. They test babies for drugs in most states so instead of leaving the hospital with a baby a social worker will be called. It's easy to talk when you haven't dealt with a baby suffering from withdrawal. It takes a sad person to exspose a baby or children to drugs and attempt to justify it by saying it's a plant. Would you give a baby oil? That natural too

I took care of a baby that tested positive at birth for weed. Her birth mother claimed she only took a few puffs. The baby was born weighing three pounds. She had significant developmental delays. She did not roll over or walk or reach milestones on target. She was extremely colicky. It takes an idiot to do drugs while pregnant and affect an innocent life and then make exscuses for their selfish behavior. They test babies for drugs in most states so instead of leaving the hospital with a baby a social worker will be called. It's easy to talk when you haven't dealt with a baby suffering from withdrawal. It takes a sad person to exspose a baby or children to drugs and attempt to justify it by saying it's a plant. Would you give a baby oil? That natural too

My friends are adopting and they said one of the things they were most concerned about was marijuana smoking in the teen moms. They said through their research that weed was worse than doing crack/cocaine in terms of the harm and potential for birth defects with the baby.

I'm sure some people get through it and have healthy babies, but I don't even take tylenol because I read what it could do!

I hope those mothers shape up once their baby is born!

My friends are adopting and they said one of the things they were most concerned about was marijuana smoking in the teen moms. They said through their research that weed was worse than doing crack/cocaine in terms of the harm and potential for birth defects with the baby.

I'm sure some people get through it and have healthy babies, but I don't even take tylenol because I read what it could do!

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